A new DigitTimes report suggests hardware component manufacturers have begin delivering iWatch components for testing at Apple. The timing is spot on for a release later this year, indicating that the hardware is beginning to take a final form and shape.

Flexible PCB suppliers Flexium Interconnect, Zhen Ding Technology Holding and Career Technology reportedly have delivered FPCB samples for use in iWatch devices to Apple for validation, according to industry sources.

Zhen Ding is currently the largest FPCB supplier for Apple and plans to invest over US$100 million to further ramp up its production capacity in 2014 due in part to increasing FPCB demand from Apple for production of its large-size iPhones and iPad products, said the sources.